Mike Smith's Column

The former NHL GM and friend of Bob Probert recalls a few fond memories of the player who could strike fear as well as friendship. Throughout my journey in the NHL hockey world I occasionally met a person who left a lasting positive impression. Bob Probert was such a person.

The former NHL GM writes any squad that lands a top netminder will feel the benefits on the ice right away. A few weeks ago Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford and I were talking about the importance of goaltending to a team’s success. Jim laughed and said, “people are always asking who is the smartest coach? And I always answer, ‘the one with the best goalie.

The former NHL GM talks to a wide range of great managers to help explain what traits a bench boss must possess in order to have success. A question often asked of GMs is, “what is the most difficult thing you have to do?” Most will answer, “hire a good coach.”
Why is that? Coaching is a difficult job with lots of pressure to put wins on the board.

The former NHL GM talks about the value of analytics and how it can make a big difference in evaluating players performances. I have been asked a lot this past year, “Are you still doing the statistics thing?” My answer is, “analytics, not statistics.

The former NHL GM looks takes a statistical look at the teams that remain in the playoff hunt. The 2008-09 regular season is down to the last few days. Some teams are trying to secure a playoff spot, while others are trying to secure home-ice advantage.

The former NHL GM talks about who's buying and selling and keeping tabs on players he drafted. The much discussed, written and speculated about trade deadline is upon us again. Just as the Stanley Cup playoffs follow the end of the regular season, the deadline precedes it.

The former NHL GM looks at four teams who have underachieved this season and what their cap situation is moving forward. The All-Star Game is over. Next on the horizon is the March 4 trade deadline, then the playoffs. Well, for some teams the post-season follows.

The former NHL GM explains why Detroit's wealth of experience is a big reason for their continued success. I started working for the Chicago Blackhawks well into the 1999-2000 season. The Hawks were not a playoff team, but in the second half of the season the team played above .

So far, it seems as though the players were big winners coming out of the lockout, but things could start changing this season. The NHL is entering the fourth season under the new collective bargaining agreement. The first three years have witnessed significant revenue growth that has led to an increase in club payrolls.

The former NHL GM discussed the challenges he faced in Winnipeg and getting Curtis Joseph signed in Toronto. The start of the Stanley Cup final signals to the non-playing clubs “it’s time to get started on next season.” Managers have met with their players, staff as well as the scouts.

Former NHL GM Mike Smith talks about his trade for Kris King and Tie Domi in the early '90s and the story that goes with it. I was recently asked, of the many trades I made, which had the most interesting story to it? I answered immediately, “the Tie Domi-Kris King for Ed Olczyk trade I made with Neil Smith in New York while I was in Winnipeg.

The former NHL GM talks about the importance of winning in regulation and how three-point games could influence trades. The 2007-08 season is in the home stretch. Teams have between 10 and 12 games to go. And time is running out for some clubs.
Several teams in both conferences – Montreal, New Jersey, Ottawa, Pittsburgh and the New York Rangers in the East; Detroit, San Jose, Dallas and Anaheim in the West are virtually assured of a playoff spot.